Fulfilling dreams: Group continues to ensure S.J. kids have a merry Christmas

Sunday

Dec 16, 2012 at 12:01 AM

STOCKTON - Hundreds of underprivileged children smiled, laughed and sang Saturday at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds while waiting to receive wrapped gifts handed out by volunteers at the Good Samaritan Training Center's 19th annual Operation Dreamkeeper.

Jason Anderson

STOCKTON - Hundreds of underprivileged children smiled, laughed and sang Saturday at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds while waiting to receive wrapped gifts handed out by volunteers at the Good Samaritan Training Center's 19th annual Operation Dreamkeeper.

Operation Dreamkeeper was founded in 1993 by the late Robert Thurber, a former Good Samaritan Training Center volunteer who grew up without parents, said David Claxton, director of the faith-based nonprofit organization. Since then, Claxton estimates that Operation Dreamkeeper has distributed about 300,000 toys to needy children in Stockton.

"Those smiles are priceless," Claxton said. "I've seen tears in the eyes of parents, and children smiling and happy. I've seen families take their gifts home and open them up on Christmas morning because they were their only gifts. We had one little girl who was blind, so we purchased her a talking doll. She couldn't see her doll, but she could hear it."

The children were given a variety of toys based on their age and gender. The toys were purchased with money given by several donors, including the Toys for Tots Foundation, A.G. Spanos Companies and JB Electric and Standby Power Systems.

The event is intended for kids 10 and younger and includes a one-hour sing-along show featuring characters from the VeggieTales.

Other special guests included McGruff the Crime Dog and H.T. Bee from HomeTown Buffet.

"They're singing and dancing and doing funny things," 8-year-old Neveah Ornales said. "It's very fun. My favorite part was when they were dancing around in their robes and the Broccoli Man came out dancing."

Brian Elam, 6, said the event was "hecka fun."

Good Samaritan Training Center Vice President Shirley Garner said she enjoys seeing the children smile.

"It's heartening to see all these children, who maybe wouldn't have a good Christmas, get something here," she said. "It's a joy and a blessing. That's what Christmas is about. It's about helping others."

Stockton resident Kathleen Clark said she was glad she and her family decided to volunteer for Operation Dreamkeeper.

"This is incredible for the kids," she said. "They love it. They just love it. It's wonderful, and it's overwhelming to see this."